This Week in Digital

With the announcement of Disney’s new streaming service, and Facebook revealing plans for an all-new video watching experience, entertainment appears to be a running theme throughout this week’s roundup. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and prepare yourself for the best stories across technology, digital marketing and data!

Disney Extend Their Streaming Offering

The inner child in us was excited to read that Disney has announced this week that 2019 will see the launch of an extension to their streaming service. This will not be their pioneering venture into such services, however, as we have had access to their first offering ‘DisneyLife’ since 2015. It was reported that this new channel will include the “newest live action and animated movies from Disney and Pixar”.

Titles such as ‘Toy Story 4’, the ‘Frozen’ sequel and a live action version of ‘The Lion King’ have been put forward as examples of the kind of content we can look forward to. In addition to blockbusters such as these, we can expect filler content from original programming. There may even be a live TV component.

The launch of this service will see them withdraw their offering from Netflix, however, meaning that if you want access to Disney titles you will have to hit ‘subscribe’. At the time of writing, the pricing and availability are still unknown, although Disney has stated that this will be a global offering. We can’t wait, but have just one question… will there be a sing-a-long feature?!

A Medical “Breakthrough”

Health tech has enjoyed some great advancement in recent years, but this week we were staggered to read that scientists have developed a “breakthrough” technology which will have the ability to heal wounds, blood vessels, nerves and damaged organs. Through the use of nanotechnology, a microchip (approximately the size of a penny) will have the ability to turn skin cells into a range of other cells that can then be used to repair damaged tissues. It is placed directly onto the skin and, by injecting genetic code into the skin cells, it can transform them into other types of cell.

This revolutionary procedure could be used to treat patients with lifelong conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s, along with those who have suffered nerve damage and strokes. Perhaps the greatest advantage of this procedure is that as it is the body’s own cells that are being converted, there is no chance of the body rejecting the cells – negating the need for immunosuppressant drugs. At this stage, the procedure has yet to be trialled using human cells. However, such trials are being planned for next year.

Watch This Space

It seems not a week goes by that we don’t hear from Facebook, and this is no exception! This week, the world’s largest social media platform announced their foray into dedicated video, introducing us to “Watch” – a move that will bring them in line with media platforms such as You Tube and a host of TV networks.

Users will see a Watch tab that will allow them to view a range of shows, along with personalised offerings resulting from the analysis of what their friends are viewing. Additional features will include the ability to view “comments” from other viewers, connect with friends and join dedicated fan groups for shows. The idea has been born from Zuckerberg’s belief that Watch should “bring people together”, and allow them to “share an experience”, something which is at the heart of all Facebook has to offer.

At the launch of the product, it was revealed that the content will include factual material on subjects such as cookery, fitness and travel, rather than “block buster” productions better suited to large screen viewing. As with all good things though, we shall have to wait for these developments to hit the UK, as Facebook has indicated that they have no intention of rushing this particular venture. In fact, they have hinted that it will not be extended beyond the US before the end of the year.

What do you think? Will you be hitting “like” or rather “watch”? As ever we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below!

New Data Laws Allow UK Citizens More Rights over the Use of Their Personal Data

New data legislation which will give individuals more control over their personal data, how it is used and how it is stored online will be brought forward by the government to this summer. Under the new legislation, UK citizens will have new rights that will enable the deletion of personal data from organisations such as social media channels and online traders. This goes beyond the current “right to be forgotten” guidance, and instead will mean that companies will no longer be able to access and use a bottomless well of data simply through default online ‘tick boxes’.

Matt Hancock, the Minister for Digital, described the new laws as a constituent part of “one of the most robust yet dynamic sets of data laws in the world”.

Apart from providing individuals with an increased level of personal protection, it is also hoped that these new implementations will help to prepare Britain for Brexit, after which Britain will be classed as a third party country. Under the EU Data Protection framework, personal data can only be transferred to a third party country where the protection of that data can be guaranteed. These new regulations will facilitate the continuous free flow of data between the UK and EU countries.

How do you think the new data regulations will affect the UK and our relationship with the EU, especially following Brexit? Leave your thoughts below. We’d love to hear them!

So that concludes this week’s roundup! Here at Ignite Digital Talent, we are always amazed by the astounding abilities of technology to revolutionise and transform the landscape. Have you read any articles which have caught your eye this week? We’d love to read them too. Please let us know below!

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This Week in Digital

Posted on August 11, 2017 by

With the announcement of Disney’s new streaming service, and Facebook revealing plans for an all-new video watching experience, entertainment appears to be a running theme throughout this week’s roundup. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and prepare yourself for the best stories across technology, digital marketing and data!